Global Period in Medical Billing

Medical billing can be complicated, and understanding global periods is key to getting paid correctly for surgical procedures. 

The global period determines what’s included in a surgical package and when you can bill for additional services. 

If you’re not tracking global periods properly, you might be leaving money on the table—or worse, submitting claims that get denied.

At The Auctus Group, we help healthcare providers and billing teams navigate medical billing rules with expert guidance and tools like our Global Period Calculator. 

This guide will break down what the global period in medical billing is, how to bill correctly during this time, and how to easily determine when it ends.

What Is the Global Period in Medical Billing?

The global period is a set number of days when all pre-op, intra-op, and post-op services related to a procedure are covered under a single payment. 

This means insurance won’t pay separately for routine follow-ups or related services during this period.

Global periods apply to many surgical procedures and are set by Medicare and private insurers. 

Knowing when a global period starts and ends is critical for avoiding claim denials and ensuring correct medical billing.

Types of Global Periods & Common CPT Codes

There are three types of global periods, each covering different lengths of time.

0-Day Global Period

• Covers only the procedure itself on the day of surgery.
• Any follow-up care is billed separately.
• Example CPT Codes: 10040 (Acne surgery), 11042 (Debridement).

10-Day Global Period

• Includes the procedure plus routine post-op care for 10 days.
• Example CPT Codes: 11401 (Benign lesion excision), 12002 (Simple wound repair).

90-Day Global Period

• Includes pre-op, the procedure itself, and all routine post-op care for 90 days.
• Example CPT Codes: 27447 (Total knee replacement), 66984 (Cataract surgery).

Keeping track of global periods manually can be a headache. 

Use our Global Period Calculator to instantly check when a CPT code’s global period ends.

What’s Included in the Global Surgical Package?

Insurance considers certain services part of the global surgical package, meaning they won’t pay for them separately.

Included Services

• Pre-op visits (one day before major surgeries)
• The procedure itself
• Routine post-op care, including follow-up visits and dressing changes

Excluded Services

• Unrelated office visits
• Treatment of complications requiring a return to the operating room
• Additional tests, procedures, or services not related to the surgery

Understanding these inclusions and exclusions helps avoid billing errors and unnecessary claim denials.

How to Determine When a CPT Code’s Global Period Ends

Trying to track the global period for each CPT code manually can be overwhelming. 

Our Global Period Calculator makes it easy.

How It Works

1. Enter the CPT code for the procedure.
2. Select the procedure date to determine when the global period starts.
3. Instantly see the end date of the global period.

Why Use It?

• Eliminates manual tracking errors
• Helps prevent billing mistakes
• Saves time for billing teams

Try out our Global Period Calculator now!

Billing Services During the Global Period – Modifier Guide

Certain services can still be billed separately during a global period—if you use the correct CPT modifiers.

Key Modifiers for Global Period Billing

• Modifier 24 – Unrelated E/M service during the global period
• Modifier 25 – Separate E/M service on the same day as a minor procedure
• Modifier 57 – Decision for surgery made during an E/M visit
• Modifier 58 – Staged or planned procedure during the post-op period
• Modifier 78 – Unplanned return to the OR for a related procedure
• Modifier 79 – Unrelated procedure performed during the global period

Using the right modifiers ensures correct reimbursement and prevents billing issues.

Real-World Scenarios: How to Bill Correctly in a Global Period

Let’s take a look at some possible real-world scenarios:

Scenario 1: Office Visit During Global Period (Modifier 24)

A patient had shoulder surgery (CPT 23472, 90-day global period) but returns for knee pain evaluation.

• Correct billing: Bill the E/M visit separately with Modifier 24 since the knee issue is unrelated to the surgery.

Scenario 2: Staged Surgery During Global Period (Modifier 58)

A surgeon performs a skin graft (first procedure), then plans a second graft two weeks later.

• Correct billing: Use Modifier 58 for the second procedure because it was planned in advance.

Following best practices for modifier usage helps avoid denials and ensures you get paid for the work you do.

Avoiding Common Mistakes in Global Period Billing

Billing for services during a global period comes with risks. 

Here are the most common mistakes that lead to denials:

• Forgetting to use the correct modifier
• Billing for services already included in the global package
• Miscalculating when the global period ends

How The Auctus Group Helps With Global Periods In Medical Billing

We make global period billing simple and stress-free. 

Our team provides:

• Expert medical billing support to help you navigate complex rules
• Training for providers and staff on global period best practices
• Our Global Period Calculator to make compliance easy

Conclusion: Global Period In Medical Billing

Understanding global periods in medical billing helps maximize reimbursements and avoid costly mistakes. 

Whether you need to check a CPT code’s global period or bill for services correctly, we’re here to help.

Use our Global Period Calculator to track end dates and prevent errors. 

If you need billing support, contact us today for expert guidance.

FAQs: Global Period In Medical Billing

What is the global period for billing?
The global period in medical billing is a set timeframe when all routine care related to a procedure is covered under a single payment. This includes pre-operative visits, the surgery itself, and post-operative care for a specified number of days. Insurers will not reimburse separately for services included in the global surgical package during this period.

What is a 90-day global period procedure?
A 90-day global period procedure includes the surgical procedure, pre-operative care, and all routine post-operative visits within 90 days of the surgery. These are typically major surgeries such as total knee replacements (CPT 27447) or cataract surgery (CPT 66984), where follow-up care is expected and bundled into one payment.

What is the 24 modifier for global period?
Modifier 24 is used when a provider performs an unrelated Evaluation and Management (E/M) service during the post-operative global period. It ensures that a separate and distinct service, not related to the original procedure, is billed correctly. For example, if a patient had shoulder surgery but returns with new knee pain, the office visit for knee evaluation would require Modifier 24.

How to calculate a 10-day global period?
A 10-day global period starts the day of the procedure and includes routine follow-up care for the next 10 days. To calculate the end date, count the procedure day as day zero, then add 10 days. For example, if a procedure is performed on March 1st, the global period ends at midnight on March 11th. You can also use The Auctus Group’s Global Period Calculator to determine exact end dates.

Can you use a 24 and 25 modifier together?
Modifiers 24 and 25 serve different purposes and are not typically used together. Modifier 24 applies to an unrelated E/M service during the post-op period, while Modifier 25 is used for a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as a minor procedure. Since they address different billing situations, they should not be combined on the same claim.